Hey there! In the next year, you’re gonna celebrate a birthday. Lucky you. You might as well get some free stuff to celebrate.
Many of these birthday offers were last verified in July 2020, unless noted below. Some businesses paused their giveaways due to COVID-19, so it’s always good to double check before you head out to redeem your perks.
If you know of a freebie that isn’t listed, please let me know by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. Note that I prioritize Minnesota-based companies.
I shared some of these freebies on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live.
Once you’re done browsing through this list, check out my other guides, ranging from the top 5 coffee shops in Minnesota to the most asked questions Minnesota State Fair information booths receive.
The 5 best birthday freebies in the Twin Cities
1. Free bottle of wine at Tria Restaurant (verified August 2022)
Note that this freebie has changed since the television segment above aired.
Located in North Oaks.
Required to purchase two entrees.
Must go during your birthday week (3 days before until 3 days after).
You can select one of three wines (red, white, or sparkling), which will be personalized.
Make sure to fill out this voucher in advance.
In addition to wine, you also receive a complimentary chomeur pudding dessert.
2. $25 towards dinner at Lindey’s Prime Steak House (verified August 2022)
Located in Arden Hills.
Must register on their website four to six weeks in advance.
3. Free concert tickets at First Avenue (verified August 2022)
Located in Minneapolis.
Even if a show is sold out, you and a friend will get in to a show at the First Avenue Mainroom or 7th Street Entry for free on your birthday.
Not only do you get in for free, you will get a bottle of bubbly or a drink ticket.
This deal also applies to First Avenue’s other venues, 7th Street Entry, the Fine Line in Minneapolis and Turf Club in Saint Paul.
Don’t forget your ID.
Also on Give Me The Mike: What you need to know before visiting Minneapolis
4. Free comedy show tickets at ACME Comedy Company (verified August 2022)
Located in Minneapolis.
You and three guests can select to attend one 8:00 pm show on Wednesday or Thursday or a 9:30 pm show on Friday or Saturday for free the month of your birthday.
You must submit your request online no later than 3 pm the day prior you would like to attend and the inbox is only checked Tuesdays – Fridays from 12:00 – 5:00 pm.
Also on Give Me The Mike: Best comedy clubs in the Twin Cities
5. $10 to IKEA
Minnesota location in Bloomington.
You must be a member of the IKEA Family program.
Update, August 2022: I didn’t get anything for my birthday in July 2022, so I logged into my account. I didn’t allow access for emails (just for direct mail), so I might have missed something. If you receive a birthday freebie from IKEA, let me know by filling out the form below!
Casinos
Up to $1,000 in slot play at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Located in Prior Lake.
Must register to be a Club M member and visit guest services the month of your birthday.
You’ll spin a virtual wheel to win prizes, including free bingo, blackjack play, or up to $1,000 in slot play.
Up to $1,000 in slot play and a free buffet at Treasure Island Resort and Casino (verified August 2022)
Located in Welch (near Red Wing).
Must register to be a Island Passport Club member and visit a kiosk the month of your birthday.
You can win up to $1,000 in free slot play.
You will also receive a dining credit and $20 off bingo with the purchase of a special pack. Learn more.
Thanks to Aaron Moy for the tip!
Up to $50 in Grand Play at Grand Casino (verified August 2022)
Note that this freebie has changed since the television segment above aired.
On any day during the month of your birthday, head to Grand Casino Mille Lacs or Grand Casino Hinckley.
Swipe your card for a chance at $5 to 50 in Grand Play or a sweet treat.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
The best places to play bingo in Minnesota
Entertainment
Free mini golf at Can Can Wonderland
Can Can Wonderland is right off Pierce Butler Route in Saint Paul.
On a Thursday during your birthday month, bring at least 3 friends to play mini golf and you will play for free.
You will also receive a birthday drink of your choice.
If you would rather play in the arcade, the birthday person can choose to receive 2 hours of unlimited arcade play along with a birthday drink instead.
Note that only the birthday person receives the freebie, all others must pay.
Cash rewards (you pick the meal)
$25 to The Local Minneapolis, The Local West End, or Kieran’s Irish Pub
You must sign up for Cara Irish Pubs’ Pub Club at one of the above locations. They say you can reverse register online but I got an error when I tried to do so.
You will have to register your card once you have it.
You receive a free appetizer upon activating your card.
Accounts with no activity for 24 months are automatically deactivated.
Thanks to Jessica Jensen for the tip!
Free entrée at Houlihan’s (verified August 2022)
Participating locations in Chanhassen, Eagan and Richfield.
You must be a member of the Houlihan’s email program.
You also get a $10 credit when signing up.
Free entrée or dessert from La Casita
Locations in Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Roseville and Waite Park.
At the Columbia Heights location, you get a free entree if another food item of equal or lesser value is purchased.
However, the deal may vary by location. Joe Collova tipped me off that at the Roseville location, you only get a free dessert.
It must be redeemed on your actual entree and an ID is required.
Thanks to Kimberly McKay for the tip!
Free entrée from Acapulco Restaurante Mexicano
Locations in Andover, Blaine, Ham Lake, Maplewood, New Brighton, Ramsey, Stillwater and Woodbury.
You must sign up for their VIP Email Club.
Heads up: the electronic coupon only good for 10 days from the day they send the email. My birthday is July 1st and coupon was sent and marked June 27th, meaning I only had until July 7th to redeem it.
You also get a free order of queso when signing up (coupon is only good for a week).
Free entrée at Grizzly’s Wood-Fired Grill & Bar (verified August 2022)
Minnesota locations in Plymouth, Waite Park, Baxter, Willmar.
You must sign up for their E-Club at least 10 days before your birthday.
You also must be 21 to be a part of the E-Club.
Receive a free appetizer for joining for the Club.
A free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s
You must be a Denny’s Rewards member.
It must be redeemed on your actual birthday.
Also on Give Me The Mike: The 17 best restaurants for breakfast in Minnesota
A free Magnificent Seven breakfast at Perkins
You must be a MyPerkins member.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
20 Mexican restaurants in Minnesota worth the trip
Burgers and steak
A free burger at Red Cow
Three locations in Minneapolis and one in Saint Paul.
You must be a member of Red Cow’s eClub and you will receive an e-coupon for their Ultimate Burger for your birthday.
If you don’t want the Ultimate Burger, the coupon can be used for a discount of equal or lesser value.
The coupon expires 3 weeks from the date it was sent. Mine was sent 4 days before my actual birthday.
You also get a free order of cheese curds when signing up (coupon is good for three weeks from sign up date).
A free burger at Red Robin
Locations in Shoreview, Bloomington, Plymouth and Apple Valley.
You must be a member of the Red Robin Royalty program.
Credit is loaded onto your account the first day of the month of your birthday.
A free Juicy Lucy at Crooked Pint Ale House (verified August 2022)
Minnesota locations in Apple Valley, Chaska, Duluth, Faribault, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Rochester, Savage, and Waite Park.
You must be a member of their Crooked Rewards program.
You receive a free Juicy Lucy of your choice for your birthday.
Free 8oz sirloin dinner at Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan (verified December 2020)
Located in Eagan.
Head there on Thursday night during the week of your birthday.
You must show proof of your birthday with a valid ID upon arrival.
Someone at your table must order a Casper Classic entrée of $16 or more.
Thanks to Deanna Bunkelman for the tip!
Sandwiches
A free half hoagie and beverage at Hogan Brothers (verified August 2022)
Located in Northfield.
Good for a half hoagie sandwich and a medium fountain beverage.
Valid on your birthday only.
Just show up with your ID!
A free sandwich and beverage at Jersey Mike’s (verified August 2022)
You must be a member of their Email Club.
On your birthday, you will receive a coupon for a regular sub sandwich.
The coupon is good for one year.
You must confirm your subscription to the Email Club at least 24 hours before the birthdate you provide, otherwise you won’t receive a coupon.
A free sandwich at Which Wich (verified August 2022)
Minnesota location in Saint Louis Park.
You must be a Vibe Club Rewards member.
Sign up for the Vibe Club at least 30 days before your birthday.
You will receive a free drink for joining. The certificate must be used with 7 days of your birthday.
You may not receive a certificate if you haven’t purchased anything using your Rewards account in the last year.
A free sandwich at Firehouse Subs (verified August 2022)
You must sign up for the Firehouse Rewards program before or on your birthday.
You will receive a coupon for a free medium sub, which expires 6 days after your birthday.
Parents are able to sign their kids up to receive a free sub as well.
Thanks to Richard Harris & Danielle Rabe for the tip!
Pizza
Free deep dish pizza from Green Mill (verified August 2022)
16 Minnesota locations.
You must be a member of the Green Mill Rewards Club.
You receive a certificate for a small one-topping deep dish pizza.
Free pizza from Park Tavern
Located in Saint Louis Park.
You must be a member of their EClub.
You will receive an e-coupon good for a 12″ pizza with up to 3 ingredients. That coupon expires two weeks after it was sent. Mine was sent and marked June 27th, although my birthday is July 1st.
You also receive $5 off your next meal when you sign up. That certificate expires 1 month after registering.
A pizza worth up to $17 from Old Chicago
Locations in Roseville, Eden Prairie, and Duluth.
You must sign up for their OC Rewards program at a restaurant or online.
You must visit an Old Chicago once in the 12 months prior to your birthday in order for the credit to upload to your account.
The credit is added to your account 7 days prior to your birthday and stays on up to 10 days after your birthday. For my July 1st birthday, my certificate arrived June 24th and expired on July 9th.
Any unused credit does not apply towards future purchases.
A free kids pizza from Broadway Pizza (verified August 2022)
9 participating Minnesota locations.
This perk is open to kids ages 10 and under. They must be a member of the Broadway Pizza Kids Birthday Club. Click here to fill out the form.
The birthday child will receive a postcard redeemable for a solo pizza.
Free dessert from Papa John’s (verified August 2022)
Receive a free birthday cookie.
Must a Papa John’s rewards member.
The reward is good for 14 days.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
The best pizza in Minnesota
Beer and wine
Four hours of free beer at Skinner’s Pub (verified August 2022)
Located in Saint Paul.
Come in with three other guests and the birthday person will receive free tap (non-craft) beer from 4 – 8 pm.
You will also get a free t-shirt and a free appetizer for your party.
Your guests must each order at least one beverage.
You must be 21 or older, show a valid ID and must not be driving.
A free glass of wine at Red Rabbit
Locations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
You must be a member of the Red Rabbit eClub.
You will receive an e-coupon good for a glass of wine, not to exceed $15.
The coupon expires 3 weeks from the date it was sent. Mine was sent 4 days before my actual birthday.
You also get a free New World Margherita Pizza when signing up (coupon is good for three weeks from sign up date).
Also on Give Me The Mike…
Cheapest beer at the Minnesota State Fair
Desserts and snacks
A free cannoli at Mario’s Italian Kitchen
Located in Watertown.
You can also get a free drink instead, but why do that when you can get a cannoli.
Free dessert at 6SMITH
Located in Wayzata.
Free piece of chocolate cake with your meal.
Bonus: let them know in advance you’re celebrating a birthday and they will decorate the table and give you a birthday card that contains $15 off your next visit!
Free dessert at Buca di Beppo
Locations in Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Sign up for their E-Club and you will receive an email for a free Colossal Brownie dessert on your birthday. The Colossal Brownie voucher is only valid if you dine-in (no to-go orders).
Email comes to your inbox a few days before your birthday and expires at the end of your birthday month.
You will also get $20 off a purchase of $40 or more. Discount can be used on online orders.
Free chocolate at GODIVA
You must be a member of the GODIVA Rewards Club.
According to their website, birthday offers vary from month to month.
A free bundtlet at Nothing Bundt Cakes (verified August 2022)
Minnesota locations in Blaine, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Rochester, Saint Paul and Woodbury.
You must be a member of their EClub.
A free cupcake at Lunds & Byerlys
28 Minnesota locations.
Sign up for their Extras program.
You will receive an email for a free cupcake that is to be redeemed within two weeks of your birthday.
Thanks Michelle Koerth for the tip!
Free s’mores dessert pizza at Red’s Savoy Pizza
18 Minnesota locations.
You must be a member of their Thank You Rewards program.
A credit (for what I’m being told is a s’mores dessert pizza) will be added to your card a week prior to your birthday.
The deal expires 14 days after it is added to your card.
Thanks Richard Harris for the tip!
A free cupcake at Nadia Cakes
Minnesota locations in Maple Grove and Woodbury.
You must sign up for their mailing list.
A free pastry, croissant, muffin, scone, sweet roll or cookie at Panera Bread
You must sign up for their MyPanera program.
A free pretzel at Auntie Anne’s
You must sign up for their My Pretzel Perks program.
You have 14 days to redeem your reward once it’s loaded on your account.
A free bagel with cream cheese at Bruegger’s Bagels
You must be a member of their Inner Circle program.
You have 14 days to redeem your reward once it’s loaded on your account.
Receive a free bagel with cream cheese for signing up.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
3 Twin Cities restaurants with the best date night deals
Coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks
A free beverage at Caribou Coffee
You must be an active Caribou Perks member.
The perk can be used on any beverage of any size.
You have 7 days from your birthday to redeem.
A free beverage or food item at Starbucks (verified August 2022)
You must a Starbucks Rewards member.
You need to sign up for Starbucks Rewards at least seven days before your birthday.
The credit can be used for a handcrafted beverage, a food item or a ready-to-drink bottled beverage.
You need to make one other transaction using your Rewards account prior to your birthday each year to receive the credit.
The credit usually appears on your account one to three days before your birthday.
$5 at Dunn Brothers Coffee (verified August 2022)
You must have the Dunn Brothers Coffee Rewards app.
You receive a $5 credit on your birthday.
Free smoothie at Jamba Juice
8 Minnesota locations.
You must be a member of the My Jamba Rewards program AND have 15 points on your account.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
The 5 best coffee shops in Minnesota
Discounts on meals
$15 gift card at Baldamar (verified August 2022)
Located in Roseville.
If you make an advance reservation and let staff know you’re celebrating a birthday, they will treat the birthday person with a $15 gift card to use on a future visit.
Thanks to Donovan for the tip!
$10 off your dinner at Sunshine Factory Bar & Grill
Located in Plymouth.
Sign up for their Party Card program.
You will get $10 off your birthday dinner.
The certificate is valid the month of your birthday.
Free appetizer or side of ribs at Texas Roadhouse (verified July 2021)
Locations in Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Shakopee, Woodbury, Rochester and Saint Cloud,.
You must sign up for their email or text list.
You also get a free appetizer (cactus blossom, fried pickles, tater skins, cheese fries or rattlesnake bites) when signing up.
Free dessert with the purchase of an entrée at TGI Fridays
Locations in Saint Louis Park, Bloomington, Maplewood, Maple Grove, Burnsville and Coon Rapids.
You must be a member of the Friday Rewards program.
You also get a free appetizer or dessert when signing up.
$15 or $20 at Wildfire (verified August 2022)
Minnesota location in Eden Prairie.
You must become a member of their Frequent Diner Rewards program.
According to their website, you must have point accrual in the past 12 months.
The credit is added the first day of the month of your birthday.
Blue and silver level members get $15 off their meal; gold level members get $20 off their meal.
To be a silver level member, you must spend at least $1,000 a year; gold members must spend $2,500.
Birthday rewards expire 90 days from the first day of your birthday month.
$30 at Benihana
Locations in Bloomington, Maple Grove and Golden Valley.
You must join The Chef’s Table email list.
Receive a $30 credit when an adult teppanyaki entrée is purchased. Honestly, it’s a bit tricky. I would read their elaborate FAQ before you use it.
The credit can only be used for dine-in dinner Mondays – Thursdays.
The credit is valid 29 days from the date it was issued.
You MUST print the certificate — it cannot be shown on a phone.
$10 off your meal at Timberlodge Steakhouse
The chain restaurant collapsed: the only Minnesota location left is in Owatonna.
Be weary: I asked the location to verify this deal; they did not respond to my request.
Shopping birthday deals
Free car washes at Paradise Car Wash
7 Minnesota locations.
Go on your birthday and be ready to show an ID.
$15 at Finish Line
You must be a member of Finish Line’s Status Reward Program.
$5 to Arc’s Value Village (verified August 2022)
Available only at locations in Richfield, New Hope and Bloomington.
You must be a member of their Village Rewards program.
You must spend at least $5 and present your Village Rewards card. $5 will be loaded to your card. Must be used within 30 days of your birthday.
Also on Give Me The Mike: Where Minnesotans can donate clothing and household goods
Discount on Botox at Uptown Dermatology & SkinSpa
Located in Minneapolis.
They take $1 off of every year of your age on Botox.
Get $50 off if you’re 50, $65 off if you’re 65, $75 off if you’re 75.
$10 at Express (verified August 2022)
Must be an Express Insider member. It is free to sign up.
The $10 reward expires at the end of your birthday month.
Free gift from Sephora (verified August 2022)
Must be a VIB or Rouge member.
Can choose a mini set from one of of their top brands or 250 points. Learn more.
Thanks Megan Aber for the tip!
Free gift from Ulta Beauty (verified August 2022)
Must be an Ultimate Rewards member.
The gift changes monthly.
Make sure you opt-in for emails to receive the certificate to claim your gift. Check this page for more on claiming your gift. It also shows what past gifts have been.
Thanks Megan Aber and Lynn for the tip!
Other birthday deals
Free admission at Crayola Experience (verified August 2022)
Located in Mall of America.
Any guest receives free admission within 7 days of their birthday with proof of birth date, like a driver’s license or birth certificate. A photo on a smartphone is not accepted. Learn more.
Must redeem freebie in person.
Do you know of a birthday freebie not listed? Tell me!
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Red cow doesnt offer free burgers anymore
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Great list, thank you! I couldn’t email you in the above section, so I am leaving a comment here. I always like to go to Ulta and Sephora each year for my freebies. You have to be a Sephora VIB to get a free birthday gift, which is usually some type of sample makeup kit with prestige products. At Ulta, you have to be a rewards member and you get the same.
I always want to know how to get the most free stuff on my birthday each year and I’m actually checking a few weeks in advance this time to hopefully score more deals!
So glad I saw you on Twin Cities Live again today when you provided an update on the holiday lights. I finally wrote down your website address and checked it out, which so glad I did. I’ve already shared with my family and plan to with friends as well…..specifically the holiday lights and birthday deals, some of which I’ve already signed up for (in addition to many that I sent you that I enjoyed during my January 2020 birthday).
I’m excited that you thought the ValleyFair holiday light show was the best, because that’s the one we signed up to see. We received a discount early since the same company that runs this, is also involved with the ice castles that we had gone to when they were in Excelsior.
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On your birthday, Unhinged Pizza in Waconia, offers a buffet for a penny.. $0.01!!!! Must bring ID, and it’s only on the day of your birthday.
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